Oxford 1 Walsall 2 - Report and pictures

A first-half goal from Erhun Oztumer as well as a strike from former U’s loanee Tyler Roberts put the Saddlers into the ascendancy at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford hit back with Ryan Ledson converting a penalty after Luke Leahy had fouled Rob Hall.

But in truth Walsall were in control throughout, with Whitney’s side fully deserving of what was their first victory on the road in 2017.

Analysis

Whitney sprung a surprise when naming his starting line-up with the boss opting to switch from the 3-5-2 formation used in recent weeks to a 4-1-4-1 system.

It meant winger Zeli Ismail came in for his first league start for the Saddlers with Kieron Morris on the opposite flank and Tyler Roberts the lone frontman.

Oxford lined up in a in a 4-2-3-1 system that saw Jack Payne operate in the number 10 role behind Jon Obika.

In what a keenly contested opening 20 minutes, both teams started well with the hosts passing the ball around crisply but with Walsall looking dangerous on the break.

And it was Whitney’s men who came closest to breaking the deadlock when a low Morris drive from the edge of the area was awkwardly tipped onto the post by Simon Eastwood.

With U’s boss Pep Clotet eager to stick to his Spanish roots, the home side were looking to play out from the back at every opportunity.

But at times their passing was too slow with Walsall’s work rate ensuring they quickly closed down their opponents and regularly won the ball back high up the pitch.

It meant when they broke the deadlock just past the half-hour, the goal was thoroughly deserved.

Unsurprisingly, it arrived after the Saddlers had recovered possession inside the Oxford half.

And that allowed Joe Edwards to brilliantly trick his way past John Moushino before standing up a cross for Oztumer to pod home from practically on the goal line.

Lifted by the goal, the Saddlers were suddenly rampant and they should have scored twice more before half-time ­ - with both chances falling for Oztumer.

First the creative schemer side-footed wide with the goal at his mercy after Morris’ had flashed a dangerous delivery across the face of goal.

Then moments later, Luke Leahy’s ball put Walsall’s number 10 clean through and with only Eastwood to beat. But the goalkeeper stood tall to make a crucial and goal-saving block.

It meant when the half-time whistle blew, the home side made their way off to a chorus of boos – with Walsall’s tactics and work rate ensuring Clotet’s side had shown next to nothing going forward.

Oxford made a change during the interval with ex-Wolves man James Henry introduced for Obika.

It was Walsall though who doubled their advantage shortly after the re-start with Edwards again producing a brilliant tackle to win the ball high up the pitch.

And that allowed Oztumer to slip in Roberts who calmly entered the box before arrowing a strike across goal and into the corner.

Despite the home side tweaking their tactics, Walsall remained comfortable as the clock ticked past the 70 minute mark with Roberts almost grabbing his second with a snap-shot that was tipped over by Eastwood.

Clotet’s men showed they still carried an attacking threat shortly after when a corner fell for Henry with his volley being spectacularly tipped over the bar by Mark Gillespie.

And the U’s went even closer just minutes later when van Kessell collected ball in the area before steering it past the keeper only to see his effort bounce back out off the post.

The Oxford pressure was now building and they got themselves back into the game when Leahy clumsily tripped Hall in the box, giving referee Scott Oldham little option but to point to the spot.

Ledson then converted to set up a tense final 15 minutes..

Despite the set-back, it was Walsall who still looked the more dangerous with substitute Ama Bakayoko firing over from 25-yards after good work from Oztumer.

And they saw out the game in relative comfort to register a fully deserved win.

Key moments

2 Joe Rothwell's through-ball almost puts Jon Obika in but Nicky Devlin comes across to make a good block

10 Zeli Ismail does well to trick his way past his man and hit the byline before sending in a low cross with Oxford eventually clear.

12 Erhun Oztumer enters the box and, eight yards out, his a strike on the angle which is claimed by Simon Eastwood.

14 Walsall break well from an Oxford corner with Oztumer coming very close to slipping in Kieron Morris.

24 Morris’ low drive from the edge of the box is fumbled onto the post by Eastwood.

32 GOAL WALSALL! Joe Edwards' left-wing cross is tapped in by Oztumer from virtually on the line.

36 Morris flashes a dangerous delivery across goal but the onrushing Oztumer side-foots when he should score.

38 Oztumer exchanges passes with Tyler Roberts before firing towards goal but Eastwood claims.

40 Ismail plays in Roberts but his low strike is saved by Eastwood.

41 Luke Leahy’s driven pass finds Oztumer, who's one-on-one, but Eastwood stands up well to blocks his shot.

49 Roberts curls wide from just outside the box.

52 Goal Walsall. A brilliant Edwards tackle allows Oztumer to play in Roberts. And he then produces a brilliant finish to fire across goal and into the corner.

57 A low Rob Hall drive is held by Mark Gillespie

63 Roberts' powerful shot on the turn is tipped over by Eastwood.

70 Mark Gillespie makes a terrific one-handed save to tip over James Henry's volley from a corner.

73 Van Kessel's collects the ball in the box before prodding past Gillespie but his effort hits the base of the post and Walsall clear.

76 Oxford win a penalty after Leahy clumsily fouls Hall in the box. Ryan Ledson keeps his composure to score from 12-yards.

87 Leahy volleys over from a corner.

Teams

Oxford: Eastwood, Williamson, Nelson, Hall, Ledson, Payne (Mowatt 58), Rothwell (Ruffles 75), Obika (Henry 46), Ricardinho, Moushino, van Kessel.

Subs not used: Shearer, Martin, Fernandez, Carroll.

Walsall: Gillespie, Leahy, Guthrie, Wilson, Devlin, Chambers, Ismail (Kinsella 78), Edwards, Oztumer, Morris, Roberts (Bakayoko 75).

Subs not used: Roberts, Flanagan, Donnellan, Kouyhar, Agyei.

Position

League One: 13th